ESPN’s biggest NFL Draft question for the Falcons

There’s not much downtime in the NFL, as they find a way to constantly dominate headlines. Right now, the Conference Championships are set to take place, but for many teams not in the playoffs, the search for new head coaches and general managers is also heating up. In a little over a month, NFL free agency will begin, and after that comes the NFL Draft.

For the third consecutive season, the Falcons finished with a 7-10 record, and for the third consecutive season, they will be picking 8th overall in the draft. A lot of things can be said about the Falcons, but nobody can say they aren’t consistent.

This is a draft the Falcons must nail. They haven’t been to the playoffs in six seasons, and they finally have a roster competent enough to end that drought. The 2024 draft class is oozing with talent, and an early run on quarterbacks will almost assuredly lead to some blue chip prospects being available when the Falcons are on the clock.

The writers over at ESPN recently went through the biggest questions for each team selecting inside the top 10, and the Falcons’ was a topic that has been discussed in Atlanta for well over a decade.

Is it safe to assume GM Terry Fontenot will lock in on a defender with this pick?

No, not at all. The biggest need is at quarterback because the team doesn’t have a player on the roster the new coach can count on to be the starter. Depending on what happens in free agency — and who is hired to be the coach — taking a quarterback at No. 8 would be the sensible option.

If there isn’t an enticing quarterback here or the team signs a veteran in free agency, Atlanta probably would then look at an edge rusher or cornerback. At this point, this spot is unpredictable because of all the other unknowns surrounding the organization. — Michael Rothstein

Let’s begin by addressing the first five words of Rothstein’s question — “Is it safe to assume.”

Now that we know that Terry Fontenot will be sticking around following the hiring of Raheem Morris, the only thing we can assume is that he will be taking the best player available, regardless of position. It has been his M.O. since taking over as general manager, and it’s the right way to draft. I don’t expect that to change this year unless one of the top three quarterbacks in the draft falls to the Falcons at eight.

Assuming that doesn’t happen, however, where might the Falcons turn? EDGE and cornerback are certainly their two biggest needs, and there are a couple of names that could make sense like Dallas Turner and Terrion Arnold. However, this class is loaded with potential superstars on the offensive side of the ball that may be too good to pass up.

The Falcons need another receiver to pair with Drake London. Fans might explode if they use another top 10 pick on a skill position player, but Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze make a lot of sense. For Georgia fans out there, Brock Bowers would also be an incredible addition to the offense. The Falcons offensive line is a strength, but Jake Matthews isn’t getting any younger and Kaleb McGary may not be with the organization much longer. Taking one of the top tackles like Joe Alt or Olu Fashanu could be in the cards as well.

When it comes to the NFL Draft, teams that put themselves in a box and draft for need always end up making mistakes. The Falcons will attempt to fill their needs as best as possible through free agency, giving them the freedom to take the best player available when they are on the clock. This draft class is loaded with blue chip offensive prospects, so if I had to guess right now, they’ll probably take a player on that side of the ball.

—

Photographer: Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire